Arsenal
Manchester City & Liverpool Show Staggering Offensive Improvement; Fulham Head For The Drop – Corresponding Fixtures Week 32
While the battle for the Premier League took a more interesting turn the previous weekend- what with Chelsea unexpectedly losing at Crystal Palace and Liverpool moving to the summit- it seems the battle to stave off relegation isn’t as interesting. While it is still difficult to predict with certainty which teams would drop to the Championship, a clearer picture seems to be emerging with respect to one side: Fulham. Unless something miraculous happens in the next 6 games, it looks like the West London side are going to spend the next season in English football’s second division.
In a way, Fulham’s decline is not a big surprise. To say they have lurched from one disappointment to another this season would be apt. First, they did not make any improvements to what was an ageing squad at the start of the season. It was easy to notice- for even those who take a passing interest in Fulham affairs- that the squad was in desperate need of replenishment. Some ageing players needed to be phased out but it wasn’t done. And the less we talk about their managerial musical chairs the better.
From appointing Rene Mulensteen as Martin Jol’s assistant to the latter’s sacking and Mulensteen’s appointment as head coach; from the appointment of Ray Wilkins and Alan Churbisley to the coaching staff to their subsequent dismissals following Mulensteen’s sacking; and finally, the appointment of Felix Magath. It all seemed as if Fulham were trying to hit a target in complete darkness while firing shots in all directions. The entire managerial shenanigans bordered on the pantomime.
But even in the backdrop of all these events, Fulham-though in the relegation zone for most of the season- were pretty much safe from our “Corresponding Fixtures Points Difference” point of view until about 6 weeks ago. To illustrate this let us first look at the Corresponding Fixtures Table after Game Week 32. As has already been mentioned in this series of articles, for the purpose of uniformity we are comparing Hull City’s fixtures to Reading; Crystal Palace’s fixtures to QPR; and Cardiff City’s fixtures to Wigan.
Fulham are currently 2nd from bottom(bottom of the PL table) in our Corresponding Fixtures table with a points difference of -9. Behind them are West Brom and Manchester United who have occupied those positions from the start of the season. Having finished with 43 points last season, it is now mathematically impossible for them to match their last season’s points tally. But even avoiding relegation looks like a distant dream. Last year, Wigan finished with 36 points and ended up getting relegated. For Fulham to reach 36 points, they need 4 wins out of their next 6 games. On current form, getting even a solitary win would be a remarkable achievement.
Fulham’s gradual slide towards the dreaded drop is reflected in our Corresponding Fixtures difference. Even whilst spending most of the season in the relegation spots, Fulham were pretty much matching last season’s results in the first half of the season. The table below illustrates it.
As we can see from the table above, Fulham were more or less picking up the same number of points as last season until Week 17 of the Premier League. In fact, by Week 20 they had picked up a point more from the corresponding fixtures. Since then they have regressed alarmingly and now seem dead certain to go down.
Looking at Liverpool’s and Manchester City’s offensive power
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Liverpool and Manchester City have the best attacking force in the league. What is striking, though, is the extraordinary improvement in terms of the sheer number of goals they have scored this season. The table below illustrates it.
From the same set of fixtures last season, Liverpool scored 55 goals; this season they have scored a staggering 88 goals. The improvement in terms of the number of away goals scored is also quite astonishing in Liverpool’s case. From the same 16 away games played last season, Liverpool scored 16 goals; this season, they have scored 40 goals- a 250% rise. Manchester City, who looked uninspired under Mancini last season have scored 80 goals from 30 games; this is 31 more than what they scored from the same set of 32 games last season.
Arsenal
Arsenal Star Named WSL Player of the Month for January as Midfielder Continues Outstanding Form Following 400th Appearance Milestone
Kim Little has been named January’s Barclays Women’s Super League Player of the Month, recognition that follows her 400th appearance for Arsenal. The captain has made an outstanding start to 2026, completing every minute in the WSL and helping secure two clean sheets and four points from fixtures against Manchester United and Chelsea.
Little drove the midfield against United in the 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium and was again pivotal in the disciplined defensive display at Stamford Bridge that delivered that historic 2-0 win over the Blues. This is absolutely deserved recognition for one of Arsenal’s most influential players, who continues to perform at the highest level despite being 35 years old.
400th Appearance Came in Belgium
Little’s landmark 400th appearance came in Belgium as Arsenal won 4-0 at OH Leuven to close in on a Champions League London derby with Chelsea. The Scottish playmaker came on as a second half substitute in the 82nd minute, replacing Olivia Smith, to reach 400 appearances.
This achievement is even more notable given the time she spent playing in the USA and Australia during her career. Little has become one of the defining figures of the modern Arsenal era, establishing herself as an absolute legend at the club.
Chelsea Awaits in Champions League Quarterfinals
Provided nothing dramatic unfolds at Meadow Park next week, Chelsea awaits in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Arsenal hold a commanding 4-0 advantage from the first leg and are overwhelming favorites to progress to a mouth watering London derby in the last eight.
Little will be central to Arsenal’s hopes of defending their Champions League crown, with the midfielder’s experience and leadership qualities proving invaluable during the knockout stages of major competitions. Her consistent performances continue to set the standard for everyone around her.
Arsenal
Eni Aluko Responds to Laura Woods’ Damning Comments With Long Statement as Ian Wright Row Continues
Eni Aluko has responded to a lengthy social media thread from Laura Woods amid the ongoing controversy surrounding her feud with Ian Wright. Aluko caused outrage in 2025 when she accused Wright of blocking opportunities for female pundits, and she has reaffirmed her stance this week.
The former England international, who represented the Lionesses 105 times during her career, bemoaned the fact that two men, Wright and Nedum Onuoha, were on the punditry panel for the Women’s Euro 2025 final. This reignited a debate that many thought had been settled months ago.
Woods Pushes Back on Caps Argument
Woods took to social media on Monday morning to post a long thread explaining that caps don’t win automatic work. That comment came after Aluko pointed out she was sitting in the stands of last year’s final next to Fara Williams, who has 172 England caps.
The TNT Sports presenter added, “The women’s game should be by women for women is one of the most damaging phrases I’ve heard. It will not only drag women’s sport backwards, it will drag women’s punditry in all forms of the game backwards.” This is a fair point from Woods, who has built her career on merit rather than relying on playing credentials.
Aluko Stands Firm on Position
Responding to Woods, with whom she has worked previously, the 38 year old stated, “I respect Laura’s opinion as I have always done. I believe that women’s football should prioritise women as the faces of the sport. I think women should be the dominant force in the women’s game in the same way that men are the dominant force in the men’s game.”
Aluko also slammed Wright for declining her attempted apology last year. “When I apologised to Ian Wright publicly and privately, he had an opportunity to show grace. Unfortunately my sincerity, my humility, was met with disrespect.” This ongoing feud shows no signs of ending anytime soon.
Also read: London City Lionesses vs. Everton Women: Predicted Lineups + Match Preview
Arsenal‘s 2-1 win over Brighton on December 27 revealed three critical truths about their title challenge and season trajectory heading into the final stretch.
The Gunners showed resilience but exposed defensive vulnerabilities that could prove catastrophic against Manchester City. Martin Odegaard’s clinical finishing and Brighton’s own goal masked deeper problems within Arsenal’s structure. Mikel Arteta’s men survived because Brighton lacked quality, not because Arsenal dominated.
Arsenal’s Defensive Fragility Remains Their Achilles Heel
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s nervous display highlighted Arsenal’s defensive depth concerns. The young left-back was withdrawn after 67 minutes with Arteta forced to shift Piero Hincapie left and introduce Gabriel Magalhaes. Brighton created legitimate chances through Yasin Ayari and Yankuba Minteh, with the latter forcing a world-class David Raya save in the 89th minute.
Manchester City will punish these defensive lapses ruthlessly. William Saliba appeared uncomfortable throughout, and Lewis-Skelly’s inexperience showed repeatedly. Arsenal need Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori back to full fitness immediately. Without consistent defensive solidity, no amount of Odegaard brilliance secures the title.
Fortuitous Circumstances Carried Arsenal Rather Than Merit
Georginio Rutter’s own goal proved the difference in reality. Arsenal should have been 2 to 0 up at half-time with multiple clear chances. Martin Zubimendi had a guilt-edge header saved by Bart Verbruggen. Leandro Trossard fired wide from close range.
The hosts never played at optimum level despite dominating possession. Brighton grew into the game after half-time and genuinely threatened. The narrative of Arsenal’s unstoppable form crumbles when examining performance metrics. They’re winning tightly contested matches through individual moments rather than systematic dominance.
Gyokeres Still Needs Time to Adjust
Viktor Gyokeres had a sloppy opening 45 minutes according to GOAL’s ratings. The Swedish summer signing is struggling to find rhythm in Arsenal’s system. His involvement in link up play remains pedestrian.
Arsenal invested heavily in Gyokeres expecting elite performance immediately. Instead they’re watching a player adapting to new surroundings without consistent output. Against City’s defensive intensity, Gyokeres cannot afford settling in periods. Arsenal need him sharp now, not eventually.
Also read: Opta Supercomputer Predicts Arsenal’s Upcoming Fixture Against Brighton
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